Cones, cows and green pastures

When I was a sophomore in college at home during a break, I had a "friend" who had already graduated and was coming back to visit. I was waiting for his phone call when I needed to freshen up. Mom asked how she should respond if he called and in my effort to try to impress him I told her to say that I was "indisposed", incorrect of course but I thought it sounded sophisticated. Of course, of course the phone rang and it was he, my dreamy older guy. I was thrilled he called until I heard my mom say,"She’s been disposed of, may I take a message?"

After a flurry of emails, here’s what Katie had to say::

Wow. This is really exciting. Can’t wait to tell Mom! Once I won a set of lawn chairs from Kroger’s, but this is much better than that. … I’m 48, wait, scratch that, I’m now 49, yikes, how did that happen. I’m lucky to work for a great man, Bill White, and have for a number of years. I’m married to an amazing man, Paul, for almost 17 years and we have two children, Juliette (named after my mom) who is 6 and Jackson who is 5. If you are doing the math, yes, I kind of got a late start. For economy of life’s time, we decided to roll the grandparent, parent experience all into one shot. Right now on my Kindle, I have a few books on how to be a better parent, none of which seem to offer the magic I need. I don’t do much of anything these days except spend time with my family — pure joy. My husband and I took a trip to Las Vegas recently, so not my style but I actually enjoyed it.

While there, I had to look up the 7 deadly sins on the Internet to remind myself (couldn’t remember wrath) and I have to say, that city pretty much has them covered. It was good to come home. I grew up in Houston and love it.

Thank you, Katie. An ice cream gift card is about to be winging its way to you.

Meantime, there may be good news on the cow front. In a recent post I wrote about 17-year-old Domonique, who is hoping to sell her cows Marci and Joli at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. She’s looking for a breeder or a gentleman/woman rancher because she doesn’t want to send Marci and Joli to the slaughterhouse.

Anyhoo, somebody called me the other day, expressing interest. The sale might happen Sunday, the last day of the livestock show. I’ll keep you posted.

These gorgeous pictures were taken by the Chronicle’s Michael Paulsen. At left, that’s Domonique and Marci. At right, that’s Joli, left, Domonique and Marci.